9.

Knitted technical textiles (TT)

Content: 9.1 Classification of technical textiles 9.2 Double- and multi-layer knitted fabrics 9.3 Mono-, bi- and multi-axial fabrics 9.4 Open knitted structures 9.5 Textile based composites 9.6 Medical products
9/1

9.1 Classification of TT
Possibilities of using of knitted fabrics:
Why just knitted? From the point of view of user is the way of production irrelevant, important is only result. Generally could be textiles used as:
1. Cloths and accessories of cloths 2. Textiles for interiors (upholstery, furnishing textiles, linens etc.). 3. Technical textiles (TT, some from 1. and 2.), variable, wide use, different classifications are possible, often in accordance with usage.
9/2

TT could be used in/at:

Human beings and animals Plants Interiors Exteriors Technologies (including agriculture, hunting etc.).

9/3

TT could work as/by:

Insulating agent for different media Filter medium (selective insulation filters, nets etc.). Force element (acting by suitable force; could be passive beams, panels etc. or active compressive stockings ). Another forms (physiologically, microbiologically, as so called intelligent textiles etc.)
9/4

Working of TT could be:

Mechanical Chemical Thermal Luminous (light) Acoustic Antibacterial ... In real time or preventive
9/5

Structure of TT:
Open (porous) or closed.

Geometrically: Longitudinal (1D), Flat (2D) and Spatial (3D).

9/6

Examples of 3-D products:

9/7

Classification of TT (an attempt):

1. TT for human and veterinary use
1.1 Sanitary and medical 1.2 Protective and security

2. Interior TT
2.1 Interiors of buildings 2.2 Interiors of traffic means (cars, trains)

3. Exterior TT
3.1 Geotextiles 3.2 Textiles for buildings and light constructions
9/8

Classification of TT (an attempt):

4. Industrial, agricultural and another technological use
4.1 Industry 4.2 Agriculture, gardening and fishing 4.3. Others (sport, transport, entertainment, ...)

5. Construction materials
5.1 Bearing tensile load (cables, ropes etc.) 5.2 Bearing bending load (beams, panels etc.) 5.3 3-D (spatial) products

6. Packing (coating) material postbags, money-begs, covers of foodstuff )

9/9

1. TT for human and veterinary use

1.1 Sanitary and medical A. Inner use implants (biocompatibility) B. Surface use wounds covering C. Compressive products Example of implants knitted artery:

9/10

1. TT for human and veterinary use

1.2 Protective, security Quickly developing branch growing demands on security Different protective cloths (against weather, dangerous agents and processes, wound protection etc.)
9/11

1. TT for human and veterinary use

Use: Protective cloths for special environment, protect against frost, rain, wind, high temperature, chemical agents, radiation, ballistic cloths, safety waists and belts etc.
9/12

2. Interior TT
Examples: Home textiles, protection against sun radiation, upholstery, hygienic products, linens, tablecloths etc. Important are materials with reduced flammability, non-allergic, antibacterial etc.

9/13

3. Exterior TT
Geotextiles, civil engineering ... Applied on or under earth surface with goals to reinforce, stabilize, drain, cover etc. the surface. Used at construction of buildings, bridges, roads, railways; substantively may reduce costs, especially of temporary buildings. Materials: polypropylene, polyester, newly bast (stem) fibres (jute ) with good biodegradability.
9/14

3. Exterior TT

9/15

Use: drains, covers, soil filters, construction of communications, reinforcement of river banks or subsoil, Insulation against noise, heat, sun radiation, transport bags, roofing materials, wall-covering, textile shuttering (boarding), penthouses etc.

4. Technological TT
Agrotextiles, fishery Soil and plants covers (often biodegradable), filters, sound insulation, fishing nets (usually strength synthetic fibres), tilts, prevention of erosion, liquidation of oil accidents etc.)

9/16

4. Technological TT
Industrial textiles Used directly in industries to support technological processes, such as antistatic textiles, reinforsing materials, tubes, filters, belts and other materials for power transfer etc.

9/17

Sports and leisure time

Quickly developing branch, an effort to improve user comfort, security and efficiency. Includes composites for sport equipment (golf-clubs), parachutes, sleeping bags etc.

9/18

6. Packing (coating) material

Conventional material using both natural and synthetic fibres. The stress is put on recycling or quick degradation of wrapping material. Includes mobile receivers, sail-cloth, sacks, bags etc.

9/19

9.2 Double and multi-layer knitted fabrics

How to design and how to use the possibility of double-layer fabric construction? Which structures are suitable? It is real to knit more than 2 layers?

9/20

9.2 Double and multi-layer knitted fabrics

The aims could be, for example:
Separation of different materials (cloths for sports, gradual filtering ). Increase of fabric thickness, Change of mechanical properties, possibility to concentrate the mass on the surface (spacer textiles).

Next classification is done in accordance with the classes of knitted structures.

9/21

Two layers double-faced weft structures:

Tubular fabric tube, double width:

9/22

Two layers double-faced weft structures:

Tubular fabric without connection:

9/23

Two layers double-faced weft structures:

Tubular fabric connected by tucks:

9/24

Tubular fabric connected by tucks - example:

9/25

Two layers double-faced weft structures:

Tubular fabric connected by face float stitches:

9/26

9/27

Two layers double-faced weft structures:

Tubular fabric connected by longitudinal yarns:

Two layers double-faced warp structures:

Tubular fabric connected by double-faced structure:

9/28

Two layers double-faced warp structures:

Example of use (spacer fabric or double knitted plush):

9/29

Two layers double-faced warp structures:

Other examples: knitted sacks, boxing, separation of the road and village (filled in by soil with grass seeds, kept wet).

9/30

Two layers double-faced warp structures:

Connection by cross-lapping:

9/31

Two layers single-faced weft structures:

Two fabrics from only one needle bed! Face float stitches (loop transfer) are used.

9/32

Two layers single-faced weft structures:

Fabrics connected by tucks and float stitches:

9/33

Multi-layers fabrics:
In weaving technology usual Example of 4-layers weave:

9/34

Multi-layers fabrics:
Knitting technology has limited possibility. Example 1: four needle bed machine problems with connection of fabrics 1 + 2 and 3 + 4.

9/35

Multi-layers fabrics:
Example 2: two layers on each of two needle beds. Useful are auxiliary beds 5, 6.

9/36

Multi-bed machine (Shima-Seiki):

9/37

9.3 Mono-, bi- and multi-axial fabrics

To reduce break elongation and to reach extreme fabric strength (for technical applications) straight yarns may be put in the fabric. Main possibilities:
Monoaxial vertical a, horizontal b Biaxial c, d Triaxial and multiaxial e, f, g

9/38

Examples:
Monoaxial Biaxial Multiaxial

9/39

9/40

Examples weft and warp knitted biaxial structures with horizontal and vertical straight yarns and woven triaxial structure:

9.4 Open knitted structures

Examples. Biaxial open knitted structure, knitted net (fabric, one of the possibilities of formation).

9/41

9.5 Textile based composites

Composite composed of two or more phases (components). Textile composite usually reinforcement (textiles) + matrix (often polymer). Synergic effect: Resulting property (properties) is better then pure sum of properties of particular phases. Example of extreme synergic effektu: thermal insulation of solid foam (polystyrene etc.). Textile composites for example high impact strength.

9/42

Plantain effect (M. Raab).

Red fibre contributes to impact strength well.

9/43

1-D composites
Possibilities:
Flexible (ropes etc.) Twist is important for easy bend deformation.

9/44

1-D composites
Possibilities:
igid (beams etc.). Tailored (a), braided (b), principle of braiding (c).

9/45

2-D composites
Often based on double layered and multiaxial fabrics Another possibility: shaped knitted fabric 1 as a filling between two plates 2

9/46

2-D composites
Examples of spacer textiles:

9/47

3-D composites (shaped by knitting)

a heel of the socks, b, c knee on the tube, d box; always scheme of knitting and product appearance ().

9/48

9.6 Medical products

Main fields of use: External covering textiles (dressings, bandages, plasters, sanitary towels, nappies etc.) Implants (artificial arteries, sinews, bones ) Compressive and supporting products

9/49

Human and veterinary use

Demands:
Non-toxic, non-allergic, non-carcinogenic Capable of sterilization

Natural fibers are completed or replaced by:

Polyester (stability, low dustiness) Polypropylene (low absorption) Viscose multifilament (biodegradability, absorption)

9/50

9/51

Human and veterinary use

Use:
dressings, bandages artificial veins, sinews, bones etc. single-use textiles (surgery dresses ) special textile products (ballistic waists, fire-proof dresses etc.) Examples (artery with collagen, combined dressing, surgery net, tubular bandage):

Compressive stockings
Blood circuit disorders frequent problem; effects mainly lower extremities due to necessary overcoming of gravitation Example of compressive product (stockings, tights):

9/52

 One-way blood run through veins back to the hart Muscle pump

9/53

Compressive stockings
Construction: gradual decrease of compression from ankle (100 %) to knee (70 %) and border (40 %) Local maximum of compressive effect causes problems (it makes the blood float to the hart difficult)
9/54

Usual knitted structure

Single faced weft knitted with elastic inlay yarn (rubber, polyurethane)

9/55

Example of compressive product:

9/56

Examples of machines
Knitted technical textiles could be produced on all types of knitting machines. Frequent are:
Single and double bed warp knitting machines (often footage, wide use) Flat weft knitting machines (ideal for spatial or 3-D products and wasteless technologies) Circular weft knitting machines of large (footage) and small diameter (compressive stockings etc.)

9/57

Warp knitting machines

Copcentra (Liba). Universal tricot machine. Produces: shoe fabrics, mosquito nets

9/58

Warp knitting machines

S2(3) MSUS (Karl Mayer). Raschel machine with magazine weft insertion system for technical textiles. Produces: wide range of mono and biaxial fabrics (from high packing density to semi-open and open structure).

9/59

Warp knitting machines

Multiaxial-machine for carbon fibre processing (Liba). Produces: CFR (carbon fibre reinforcement), aircraft, car and boat components, surfboards, bridge constructions etc.
9/60

Warp knitting machines

S2(3) MSUSS-V (Karl Mayer). Raschel machine. Produces: composites reinforcement with parallel yarns (0 and 90 o), geotextiles etc.

9/61